The Portland daily press., 1887-06-09
coNcREcATIoNALIsTs.
The sixty-seventh Anniversary OF the
Cumberland Conference.

Sixty-seven years Of conference life was
marked yesterday by the Cumberland Con-
ference Of Congregational Churches at its
meeting at Woodford's. The fine day brought
out very large delegation from the
churches. Rev. II. S. Huntington was
chosen moderator; Rev. E. NJ. Cousins,
scribe. and Rev. H. c. Mcknight. registrar
and treasurer. The topics for the morning
were two. "Hew to secure the spiritual de-
velopment Of the older members Of the
church was opened by Revs IL. S. Hunting
ton and ). X. Perkins, and ''To what extent
Should s shs g., cnlrcnes lay out work for their
members z! was opened by Revs. Arthur
Smith and j. g. Wilson. These topics elicit
ed earnest and valuable discussion upon the
practical needs Of the churches, in bringing
into best activity the strongest and best OF
The afternoon session began with a SER
mon by Rev. Il. p. Snow Of Cape Elizabeth.
who took his text from John XIV, 8:
The tests VI religion are character and
conduct. When religion yitalizes conduct
and conduct testifes TO religion, the religion
Is rightly pronounced genuine Christ em-
phaSiZed conduct as the proof Of true dis
eipleship. The world rightly regards the
religion Is or Is not sham.
Inc new religious departure needed Is in
the line OF conduct, and the demand Is for a
tn0rougn, loving, unselfsh and non-sectarian
enort i 70 reach all classes, all strata Of So
lego5 In our churches and Sunday schools, or
TO special services and exercises. There
should be broader outlook upon all the
moral and religious needs of our unreached
city and country population. This enlarged
effort would certainly bear much fruit and
would fire the church. Such a practical
movement to reach all may be undertaken
with large confidence Of success. Prosecuted
with fresh and even varied methods, it
would do much to solve the problem Of
Christian duty for today.
Following the sermon was the Lords sup
per administered by Revs. Amasa L0ring
and w. III. Haskell.
One OF the most interesting features Of the
annual meeting was the report Of the regis
| ter on the condition OF the churches by Rev.
| IL. Q. Mcknight. One year ago the member
ship Of the churches was 1857, now ACTS. a
net gain Of Ill. Four churches have lost in
| membership. The st. Lawrence street has
| had the greatest number Of aceessiOns, elose-
/ ly followed by Second Parish. In our Sab
bath schools are over 4Oco pupils. Infant
oapusms nave nearly doubled during the
year. The total benevolences have been
sl9,342, an Increase Of s1,075. The report
| contained various items OF interest In regard
TO church work. repaired and rededicated
| houses Of worship, new church enterprises,
all of which were very encouraging.
Not less valuable were the ten minutes re-
/ ports given Of the seven benevolent societies
OF the churches. Rev. DIR. Fem gave most
| earnest outlook upon the work of the Ameri-
can Board of Foreign Missions and the need
Of deeper conservation to the work Mr.. II.
i III. Burgess followed with a gratifying array
OF facts concerning the work Of the American
| Home Missionary Society with its large
number OF stations and ministers maintained
ata cost OF S5Co,CS0. Rev. l.. III. Hallock
followed, tracing the beginning and other pro-
crosses OF missionary work which brought
into existence the American Missionary
kAla - kN...N
and Negroes. It's annual meeting Is
to be held In Portland In October
Rev. A. ii. Wright represented the Con-
gregational Union, whose work is TO aid
| feeble churches TO houses Of worship. A
special plea was made in behalf Of the free
church In Deering about to build. The Sun
day School and Publishing Society had an
earnest unfolding by Rev. Il. M. Cousins,
showing that with $25,175, seventeen mis-
sionaries had been supported, 2C5 new
schools organized directly, and asa indirect
| ly organized and aided to literature
Rev. Il. +. Snow represented the New West
Education Commission, whose work Is Chris
tan education among the Mormons and RO-
manits Of Utah, New Mexico and Idaho.
The last society embraced the work Of help
ing colleges in the New West to solid en-.
dowments and young men in securing an ed
ncation Tor the gospel ministry. This socie
| ", the College and educational Society," was
presented by Rev. @. III. Daniels.
The evening session was opened with a
praise service, conducted by Samuel Thurs
ton, Esq. The discussion Of the evening
was the important one Of Sabbath evening
service. Rev. Mr. Hallock defended the
preaching service, and Rev. A. H. Wright
the prayer and social service, both Of whom
spoke in an able manner, eliciting much dis.
cussion and destined TO lead TO good results
The day was made especially pleasant by
the generous hospitality Of the ladies Of the
Woodf0rds' church, who served to crowded
tables two excellent collations Salutations
were sent TO the pastor, Rev. Q. A. Marsh
who Is away, because Of illness
The next conference will be held with the
North church, Cape Elizabeth, in October.